Solvay S.A. (Brussels, Belgium; www.solvay.com) is building a new specialty polymers resin unit in the U.S., significantly expanding its production capacity of PEEK (polyether etherketone) and solidifying itself as a leader in the industry with a unique site presence in…
Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corp. (Tokyo, Japan; www.asahi-kasei.co.jp) has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Polypore International, Inc. (Charlotte, N.C.; www.polypore.net), a manufacturer of microporous membranes, which currently has two business segments: Energy Storage and Separations Media. In conjunction…
ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions AG (Essen, Germany; www.thyssenkrupp-industrial-solutions.com) has won a followup order from the Hungarian fertilizer manufacturer Nitrogénmüvek Zrt. to expand its production capacity. A 1,150 metric ton per day (m.t./d) nitric acid plant is to be built at Pétfürdö,…
Specialty chemical market volumes in the U.S. fell 0.5% in January, beginning the year on a soft note, according to the latest Weekly Chemistry and Economic Report from the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com). The drop in January…
Technip (Paris, France; www.technip.com) has been awarded a substantial (in the €250- to €500-million range) lump-sum, turnkey contract by Duslo a.s. to develop the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of a new ammonia production unit in the existing fertilizer complex…
KBR, Inc. (Houston; www.kbr.com) has signed an agreement with Showa Denko K.K. (SDK; Tokyo, Japan; www.sdk.co.jp) to license acetyls technologies globally. The demand for acetic acid products derived including plastic bottles (polyethylene terephthalate; PET), paints, adhesives, coatings, textiles and safety…
Yara International (Oslo, Norway; www.yara.com) and BASF Group have agreed to build a world scale ammonia plant at BASF’s site in Freeport, Tex. The plant will use hydrogen as raw material, reducing capital expenditures (capex), maintenance and carbon dioxide emissions…
Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc. (www.mathesongas.com) has continued its strategic expansion with the acquisition of Sims Welding Supply in Southern California. Sims Welding Supply is a supplier of industrial, specialty and bulk gases, plus welding hard goods, equipment and supplies. Headquartered in…
BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany; www.basf.com) and Petronas Chemicals Group Berhad (PCG; Kuantuan, Malaysia; www.petronaschemicals.com) will build a new world-scale production plant for 2-ethylhexanoic acid (2-EH acid) at the site of their existing joint venture, BASF Petronas Chemicals, in Kuantan, Malaysia…
Honeywell (Morristown, N.J.; www.honeywell.com) Process Solutions (HPS) has announced a five-year agreement to provide comprehensive services and support for the control systems of what is said to be the world's largest coal-to-liquids (CTL) plant, Sasol's synthetic fuels and chemicals complex…